A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
iX1 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while M4 Convertible remains close.
iX1 starts ZAR 1,120,000 cheaperiX1 from ZAR 1,210,000 · M4 Convertible from ZAR 2,330,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
iX1
M4 Convertible
Maximum Power
iX1230 kW
M4 Convertible390 kW
Maximum Torque
iX1494 Nm
M4 Convertible650 Nm @ 2750-5730 rpm
Engine Size
iX1Not Applicable
M4 Convertible2993 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
iX1Not Applicable
M4 Convertible12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
iX1190 mm
M4 Convertible140 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
BMW iX1
xDrive30 M Sport
Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
iX1
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
M4 Convertible
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
iX1
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
M4 Convertible
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Model Introduced Year
2023
2021
Generation
Battery-electric U11 compact SUV, closely related in body and cabin architecture to the third-generation X1.
G83 full-M soft-top convertible with M xDrive and body-specific roof and luggage packaging.
Facelift History
The current U11 iX1 is the first battery-electric X1 generation; no South African facelift has been announced.
Current updated G83-generation M4 Competition Convertible in the South African AWD configuration.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Convertible
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Premium SUV
Premium Convertible
Vehicle Type
Car
Car
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Length
4500 mm
4801 mm
Width
1845 mm
1887 mm
Height
1616 mm
1399 mm
Wheelbase
2692 mm
2857 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
190 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
59 l
Boot/Cargo Space
490 l
385 l
Kerb Weight
2085 kg
2000 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2580 kg
2345 kg
Payload Capacity
570 kg
420 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
4 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.8 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1020 mm
987 mm
Rear Headroom
981 mm
947 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1036 mm
Rear Legroom
928 mm
890 mm
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Engine
BMW eDrive electric drive
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
Not Applicable
B48
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
2993 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
6
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
10.5:1
Bore
Not Applicable
82.0 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
230 kW
390 kW
Maximum Torque
494 Nm
650 Nm @ 2750-5730 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
2
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front and rear axles
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
RWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
210 km/h
280 km/h
0-100 km/h
5.6 sec
3.7 sec
Quarter Mile
16.2 sec
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
400 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
490 km (BMW stated)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
11 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
130 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
6 h 30 min
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
30 min
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive
LSD Available
Yes
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Yes
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Yes
Number of Gears
1
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
AWD
RWD
4WD Engagement
Electronically controlled AWD
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Yes
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Yes
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
8
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
12.5 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
15.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
59 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Standard
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
12.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
CCS Combo
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
0
59
Combined Driving Range
490 km (BMW stated)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
14.8
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
360 km
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
420 km
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
AEB
Yes
Yes
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Parking Assist Plus
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Seat Material
Leather/Sensatec
Leather 'Merino', with extended contents , Kyalami Orange/Black
Heated Seats
Yes
Front
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Front
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Steering wheel M Leather
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Electric with driver memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Sport seats for driver and front passenger
M Sport seats
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Standard
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Comfort Access
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Yes
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Yes
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Standard
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Infotainment System
Yes
Widescreen Display
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Yes
Android Auto
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
USB Ports
2
2
Infotainment Screen
14.9
14.9
Touchscreen
14.9
14.9
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Yes
Roof Rails
Yes
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Yes
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Approach Angle
25 deg
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
23 deg
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
500 mm
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Auto; Sport; Eco
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
20 deg
Not Applicable
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Tyre Size
225/50 R18
225/50 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
M Compound brake, red high-gloss
Rear Brake Type
Disc
M Compound brake, red high-gloss
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
18" M Lt/Aly wheels Double-spoke style 838 M Bicolour
19"/20" M forged wheels Double-spoke style 826 M Bicolour Black / MT
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Front Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Rear Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
237 g/km
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
Enthusiast and executive
Price Zar
1255000 ZAR
2330000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
1255000
2330000
Starting Price Zar
1255000
2330000
Spec
iX1
M4 Convertible
Warranty
Yes
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This iX1 and M4 Convertible comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: iX1 95 vs M4 Convertible 97.
Efficiency index: iX1 90 vs M4 Convertible 47.
Safety-equipment index: iX1 92 vs M4 Convertible 92.
Practicality index: iX1 64 vs M4 Convertible 53.
Ownership-cover index: iX1 not separately scored vs M4 Convertible not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
iX1 and M4 Convertible image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
iX1 leads by 11 points
iX1 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while M4 Convertible remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
iX1
Performance
95/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
64/100
M4 Convertible
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
47/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
53/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW iX1
leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts
vs 74 pts for M4 Convertible
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, iX1 leads. However, M4 Convertible may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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